The Ghanaian government has officially transferred 231 Nigerians, rescued from an alleged human trafficking and cybercrime network, to Nigerian authorities.
At a handover ceremony held on Friday in Lagos, the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, confirmed that the victims, primarily young men and women, had been lured into Ghana under false pretenses and forced into cybercrime operations.
Dabiri-Erewa stressed the importance of state government support for the victims as they reintegrate.
“The largest number from this particular group is from Edo State, 76 individuals. Others come from states like Anambra (6), Delta (17), Bayelsa (13), Imo (19), Enugu (12), Ebonyi (8), Cross River (7), Abia (9), Niger (4), Akwa Ibom (3), Kogi (6), Ondo (1), and Osun (1).”
“We appeal to the state governors to work with NAPTIP to aid these victims, noting that 12 of them are minors,” she said.
She also called for enhanced public awareness and tougher enforcement efforts, highlighting that human traffickers were exploiting the ECOWAS free movement protocol.
“We must name and shame the traffickers. These are evil people. If these boys knew what they were going into, many would not have gone.”
“We need massive awareness campaigns, and the media must help us spread the message,” Dabiri-Erewa urged.
Speaking at the event, Comfort Agboko, Zonal Coordinator of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in Lagos, disclosed that some of those rescued had been trafficked specifically for internet fraud.
She added that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had been contacted and that suspects would be handed over after internal investigations.
“We will provide immediate medical attention to victims and ensure rehabilitation through our profiling and reintegration processes,” Agboko said.
Providing further details, Dominic Mensah, staff officer of Ghana’s Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), explained how the operation unfolded.
According to him, an informant tipped off authorities that a section of an estate comprising about 50 houses was being used by suspected Nigerian traffickers for cybercrime.
“We launched a simultaneous raid Operation Rescue Shield on all 26 houses at 3:30 a.m, with support from the Ghana Police Service and National Security.”
“We arrested 233 individuals. After screening, we identified the victims and suspects, and released those not connected to the crimes,” Mensah explained.
He revealed that some victims had been held captive for up to five years, while others had only recently arrived before the rescue operation.
Mensah further disclosed that the masterminds behind the operation, referred to as “chairmen,” were based in Nigeria and coordinated activities through local agents in Ghana.
“The suspects arrested were fronting for these chairmen. They ensured that new recruits didn’t escape and carried out the illicit activities. The owner of the estate is also under investigation for aiding and abetting the syndicate,” he added.
